Featured image: Mikko Huotari and Visit Finland
In recent years, ice swimming, or winter swimming, has become quite trendy in Finland, with many adults in their twenties and thirties embracing this new hobby to experience its touted health benefits. Ice swimming is now widely associated with Finnish culture, as it demands a considerable amount of sisu to willingly immerse oneself in ice-cold waters. There are currently around 100 000 ice swimmers in Finland.
If you’re considering trying ice swimming in Helsinki, we’ve put together this article highlighting the best and most accessible ways to experience it (such as without having to become a member of a local swimming association).
Ice Swimming Spots with Access to Sauna
Allas Sea Pool
Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2a, Helsinki
Winter swimmers can enjoy the unheated ice cold sea water pool in Allas Sea Pool, in addition to the saunas and the big pool that is heated all year round (+27 degrees Celsius). If you really just want to try out ice swimming, there are cheaper alternatives out there (single tickets are 18 euros) but Allas Sea Pool is so much more than just an ice swimming spot: you have a view of Helsinki SkyWheel, Tallink Silja Line ferries and even partial views of Helsinki Cathedral and Uspenski Cathedral! The very central location makes Allas Sea Pool a great choice especially for tourists who don’t want to risk getting lost or waste time finding a more remote ice swimming spot.
If you want to see what it is like to ice swim in the Allas Sea Pool sea water pool, you can watch the video below (the video starts where vlogger Ihana Pon approaches the partially frozen sea water pool).
Löyly
Address: Hernesaarenranta 4, Helsinki
Much more than just an ice swimming spot, Löyly is actually one of the few places in Finland that have appeared on Time Magazine’s list of “World 100 Greatest Places”. Löyly boasts two public saunas (smoke sauna and classic wood burning sauna) as well as a private sauna. Löyly also houses an impressive restaurant and a lounge featuring an exquisite fireplace.
In terms of ice swimming, what sets Löyly apart is the enticing staircase leading to the sea, inviting those interested in experiencing “avanto” ice swimming.
Advance booking can be done here and due to the popularity of the public saunas, it is strongly recommended for this unique opportunity. Price (includes a towel, shampoo and a seat cover): 23 euros for a 2-hour sauna visit. Note that customers have to wear swimwear at all times, including in the sauna.
Kuusijärvi (Vantaa)
Address: Kuusijärventie 3, Vantaa
Kuusijärvi is not in Helsinki, but in the neighboring Vantaa. It makes this list thanks to its uniqueness: it boasts the only public smoke sauna in the Helsinki region! Open all-year-round, Kuusijärvi is always worth a visit even if getting there might take a bit longer. The smoke saunas in Kuusijärvi are unisex, and swimwear is mandatory for all guests. The electric saunas, however, are separate for men and women.
Ice swimming in Kuusijärvi is free, but the fee for using the smoke sauna is 13 euros (for adults) and 6,50 euros for the the electric saunas (for adults).
Afterwards you can buy snacks or grab lunch or dinner at Cafe Kuusijärvi, which is located right by the lake. You can check out their menu here.
Kulttuurisauna
Address: Hakaniemenranta 17, Helsinki (but nearest parking is under the deck near Haapaniemenkatu 11, Helsinki).
Kulttuurisauna, a public sauna founded in 2013, features a wood-heated, single-fired mass stove and remains open year-round. In the winter, you can go ice swimming for no extra fee.
The building has been described as unimpressive from the outside, but delightful on the inside. It is open Wednesdays through Sundays, between 4 PM – 9 PM. When you go, bring a towel, a small sitting towel, and a water bottle. Also, swimmers need to wear appropriate swimwear.
Sompasauna
Address: Verkkosaarenkuja 6, Helsinki
Sommpasauna is different from the other saunas and ice swmming spots on this list, because it relies fully on its users. In other words, do not expect the kind of luxury you find in most other places on this list. Sompasauna operates without a dedicated staff, relying on collective effort. Visitors are encouraged to participate by fetching water, preparing firewood, and offering wood or financial donations. It’s a community effort that keeps Sompasauna thriving.
One should always get acquainted with the rules of the sauna you are visiting, but this is of special importance when you go to the community-driven Sompasauna. You can read through their list of rules here. The association that takes care of the sauna always asks for donations but there is no entry fee to the saunas nor the ice swimming.
Ice Swimming Spots Without Access to Sauna
Some people do not want to go ice swimming without also going to the sauna. However, if you really only care about the ice swimming, these winter swimming spots offer just that: an ice swimming spot. Sisu-level needed: 100%
Iso Kallahti
Address: Harbonkatu 13, Helsinki
There is no sauna or shower available here, but there is a heated changing room to help you keep warm.
A season ticket costs 30 euros and with that you can go swimming for your heart’s content between 06-22 (6 AM – 10 PM) until the end of April. A single-entry ticket can be bought for only 5 euros, but it is only valid on Wednesdays between 17-21 (5-9 PM) when a member of staff is present.
Aurinkolahti Beach
Address: Uutelantie 1, Helsinki, Finland
Kahvila Kampela sells season tickets to their ice swimming spot for 30 euros. Sometimes, but seemingly irregularly, you can also go ice swimming by buying a single-entry ticket for 5 euros. Check their Facebook page for more information.
Munkkiniemi
Address: Munkkiniemenranta 44, Helsinki
Organized by Munkkiniemen Avantouimarit ry, you can go ice swimming in January for a one-time fee of 5 euros on the following dates (they will update later dates on their Facebook page):
- Jan 1 2024 from 14-17 (2-5 PM)
- Jan 3 from 10-13 (10 AM – 1 PM)
- Jan 8. fom 16-20 (4-8 PM)
- Jan 10 from 10-13 (10 AM – 1 PM)
- Jan 12 from 10-16 (10 AM – 4 PM) (Pelastetaan Itämeri “Let’s Save the Baltic Sea” charity swim event)
- Jan 15. from 16-20 (4-8 PM)
- Jan 17 from 10-13 (10 AM – 1 PM)
- Jan 21 from 14-17 (2-5 PM)
- Jan 22 from 16-20 (4-8 PM)
- Jan 29 from 16-20 (4-8 PM)
- Jan 31 from 10-13 (10 AM – 1 PM)
Have you visited any of these ice swimming spots in Helsinki? Did you like the experience? Leave us a comment below.
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